The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 29

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 29
One misstep here could be catastrophic. I chose my words with utmost care.
“…There’s a friend I met at the Academy named Seok Ga-yak. He’s waiting outside the Jeongbang right now. He brought this peony plant as a gift. So I thought… perhaps you might like to see it with me, Grandfather.”
“That’s all?”
“Yes…”
I feigned hesitation while stealing glances at the twins and Baek Li-myeong, until my eyes met Father’s. His calm gaze steadied me.
“Grandfather, I’m fine. Father already brought me another peony, and now I have this plant as well.”
The furrow between Grandfather’s brows deepened even further. I carefully chose words that would sound childlike.
“Besides, Elder Brother Baek Li-myeong was always closer to Elder Brother Pyo and Elder Sister Ak-i anyway. So… it must have been difficult for him to refuse.”
At my words, Baek Li-myeong’s eyes glistened with emotion. In stark contrast, the twins’ gazes grew even more venomous.
I pretended not to notice their stares and continued speaking.
“So I just… hope you won’t be too angry, Grandfather. We can see flowers bloom again next year.”
“Flowers bloom and wither—one should not rejoice or grieve over such things?”
“Ah, yes! Exactly. Hehe.”
I laughed as if delighted that he understood my meaning.
“Why are you laughing?”
I quickly wiped the smile from my face.
“You’ve done nothing right either. As long as you don’t quarrel, that’s enough, isn’t it? How admirable! Truly admirable! Bringing gifts to appease those who tormented you. Yet you’ve tarnished the Baek Li Family’s honor before Namgung Wan just as much!”
I feigned shock and hung my head low.
“No matter what anyone says, my decision will not change! Such nonsense brought to the Subaekdang—! No, perhaps it’s fortunate. You should watch carefully from there!”
Grandfather pointed to Father’s side. When I hesitated, Grandfather’s eyes widened sharply. With a dejected expression, I had no choice but to move toward Father.
Father gently patted my shoulder.
Soon after, Grandfather’s stern voice rang through the Jeongbang.
“Baek Li-myeong, you must feel something too.”
“Yes.”
“You are the eldest grandson of the Baek Li Family. Your only sibling is So U-ak Baek Li Pyo? Is Baek Li-yeon not your sister? They are all your siblings equally. Yet you not only failed to stop Ak-i and Pyo from their misdeeds—you simply stood by and watched!”
Baek Li-myeong lowered his head.
“And another thing! The matter with Li-ri is your fault! If you didn’t give it to her, you should have stated that fact plainly—where did you get such a ridiculous scheme!”
As Baek Li-myeong recalled Li-ri being scolded for something she knew nothing about, guilt washed over him. The moment Namgung Wan asked about the peony, he had panicked. In that instant of confusion, he made a terrible decision.
“Do you think Namgung Wan would fall for such a lie? You needlessly dragged your innocent sister into it and brought shame upon yourself! How will Li-ri ever face the Namgung Clan after this!”
Had he simply confessed that he hadn’t given the peony, the matter would never have escalated this far.
And deep down, he felt resentful. He had intended to bring the peony to Li-ri.
Though he hadn’t stopped the twins from pranking Baek Li-yeon, he had never harbored such a despicable thought as to discard what he’d received!
He had long since forgotten his own past hesitation about bringing it to her.
Grandfather spoke with finality.
“Baek Li-myeong, I impose a six-month house confinement upon you. You are also forbidden from entering the Central Hall for some time. However, you may continue attending the Academy.”
“I am grateful for your consideration.”
Baek Li-myeong bowed obediently.
Yet his true feelings were different.
The ban from the Central Hall was bearable. But six months of house confinement! How could he possibly explain this to his friends?
If word of my discord with Namgung Wan spread throughout the clan… I wouldn’t be able to show my face anywhere!
Baek Li-myeong spoke with a tone of despair.
“I swear this will never happen again.”
Watching my grandson’s apparent genuine remorse, Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s expression softened slightly. Still, he intended to use this incident to teach him a proper lesson.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s voice rang out sharply.
“A mistake already committed must be punished. Bring it!”
A servant appeared from nowhere, holding a bamboo rod.
“…!”
“Hup!”
“Ugh!”
The twins let out terrified whimpers.
The yellow bamboo rod flexed with a sharp whistle each time it was swung, and when it struck, the pain was absolutely blinding.
How did I know such pain existed?
‘Because I’ve been hit with it before.’
I thought I’d lost consciousness that time. Or perhaps I actually had…
Grandfather took the rod from the servant’s hands.
Baek Li-myeong’s face drained of all color.
“Hold out both hands and stand straight.”
Baek Li-myeong straightened his posture and extended his hands, clenching his teeth.
‘Insane… Grandfather is going to strike him himself?’
It was special treatment of sorts, but if I were in his position, I wouldn’t find it particularly comforting.
Grandfather spoke.
“You understand what your mistake was, don’t you?”
“…Yes.”
No matter how hard Baek Li-myeong tried to appear composed, he was still only twelve years old. His voice trembled with fear, wavering with unshed tears.
I couldn’t bear to watch and turned my head away.
At that same moment, a sharp crack rang out as the rod descended.
I didn’t pity Baek Li-myeong—he was simply receiving punishment for his own mistakes. And yet I couldn’t bring myself to look.
By the end, even Baek Li-myeong, who had endured in silence until now, let out groans and tears streamed down his face. The sight stirred up unpleasant memories, and my stomach churned with nausea.
My consciousness, which had been drifting away, snapped back at the touch of a hand on my shoulder. Father was looking down at me with concern.
The sound of the rod striking had already ceased.
I spoke weakly.
“Ah, I’m fine.”
Of course, even I could hear that my voice sounded anything but fine.
Father checked my forehead with his hand, then moved forward. Standing before Baek Li-myeong, he gently grasped the boy’s arm and helped him to his feet with care.
“You endured well.”
Baek Li-myeong swallowed hard, fighting back the sobs threatening to burst forth.
Then Grandfather turned to look at the twins. They clung to each other, trembling violently. The rod slipped from Grandfather’s hand and fell to the floor.
“As for you two… let’s see what choice your mother makes.”
* * *
With Baek Li Pae-hyuk and Baek Li-ui-gang both gone, only the sound of ragged breathing echoed through the Jeongbang where the children remained.
I approached Baek Li-myeong and asked him.
“Brother, are you alright?”
Baek Li-myeong’s face, contorted with discomfort, was drenched in cold sweat.
I reached into my sleeve to retrieve a handkerchief for him, but stopped short upon seeing his hands swollen and flushed crimson.
At that moment, light, measured footsteps approached.
Baek Li-myeong turned his head, his expression darkening.
“How did you enter here, Young Master Seok?”
“Commander Jang asked me to deliver this.”
Seok Ga-yak extended a medicinal salve.
“Ah…”
“Please extend your hands.”
Baek Li-myeong groaned as though the mere application of the salve caused him pain.
Seok Ga-yak applied the medicine swiftly, then naturally took my handkerchief and wiped his own hands clean.
“Once you return, soak them in cool water to draw out the heat, then reapply the medicine. Just ensure you don’t soak them for too long.”
“Thank you.”
Baek Li-myeong bowed to Seok Ga-yak, then turned to face me.
He hesitated before speaking.
“Yeon… thank you for worrying about me too.”
“Brother?”
Baek Li Pyo tugged at Baek Li-myeong’s sleeve as if to ask what he was doing.
Baek Li-myeong’s anger flared instantly. Compared to Baek Li-yeon, who had assured him he bore no fault, what had the twins accomplished? Nothing.
Caught up in their mess and beaten for it alone, he felt only resentment and injustice. Ignoring Baek Li Pyo, Baek Li-myeong turned carefully toward me and began to speak.
“I’ve shown you my shameful side all this time, haven’t I? I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
At my cool reply, Baek Li-myeong smiled faintly.
“Let’s get along well from now on, as cousins should…”
“Brother Myeong! How can you say such a thing?”
Baek Li Pyo cut him off, his voice rising sharply.
“Because of that lowborn wretch, we’re about to be cast out from the family!”
“Pyo, calm yourself.”
Baek Li-myeong forgot his anger in an instant, speaking in alarm instead.
Though Grandfather had left the Jeongbang, he hadn’t gone far. If the commotion grew, he might return.
“Calm down? You need to come to your senses first! How could you do this!”
Yet Baek Li Pyo could raise such a fuss because he held absolute confidence he would never be cast out.
But So U-ak’s situation was different. Unlike Baek Li Pyo, who could remain in the Baek Li Family depending on Aunt’s answer, So U-ak’s only choice was to leave.
So U-ak glared at me with bloodshot eyes as if to kill me. As I gazed back silently, a hand grasped and pulled at me, turning my head.
“Let’s go now.”
It was Seok Ga-yak.
“…Yes.”
I was being dragged along willingly by Seok Ga-yak when it happened.
So U-ak shouted from behind me.
“You knew, didn’t you? You knew Namgung Wan was there and deliberately didn’t say anything!”
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face the twins.
Eyes blazing with hatred.
At the sight of them, memories suddenly surfaced—their sneering faces as they trampled my peonies and hurled stones at my head.
In that instant, my voice reached into the minds of Baek Li Pyo and So U-ak.
A transmission of thought.
[That’s right. I actually knew the Namgung Clan’s young master was there.]
I turned to face the wide-eyed twins with a radiant smile.
[But so what? Did I tell you to trample my peonies?]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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